Mae Klong Railway Market: How to Plan Your Visit in 2025

I had seen countless photos of the Mae Klong Railway Market near Bangkok, Thailand, with trains squeezing past stalls and vendors pulling back their goods just in time. It looked fun and almost unreal, so I knew I had to see it myself.

Instead of joining a guided tour like most people do, I decided to go the adventurous way — by taking the local trains. It was definitely more complicated and time-consuming, but for me, that made the whole experience feel even more rewarding.

It’s a traditional fresh market, but what makes it famous is the fact that it sits directly on a working railway track. Several times a day, a train rolls through and vendors quickly fold away their umbrellas and goods, only to put them back seconds later.

In this guide, I’ll share what the place is like, how to get there (different options), what to expect, the train schedule, and a few tips to make the most of your visit.

What is Mae Klong Railway Market

The Mae Klong Railway Market, locally known as Talad Rom Hoop, is one of Thailand’s most unusual markets. It reminds me of a slightly similar place in Vietnam – Hanoi Train Street.

At first, it looks like any other local market, with stalls selling fruit, vegetables, seafood, and snacks. But then you notice the railway tracks running right through the middle.

What makes it so fascinating is the train that actually passes straight through it several times a day. I remember standing there as the whistle blew and vendors quickly folded back their umbrellas and shifted their baskets just a few inches to make space. The train rolled by so close I could almost reach out and touch it.

And the moment it was gone, everything snapped back into place within seconds, like nothing had happened. Watching it felt a bit surreal.

Years ago, this was mostly a local spot, and hardly any tourists knew about it. But once word got out, it quickly became one of the must-visit attractions near Bangkok.

These days, you’ll see plenty of group tours stopping by, with hundreds of visitors coming each day. So you might be thinking…

Is it worth it?

The train is definitely the highlight of the Mae Klong Railway Market. It is something you really have to see to believe.

What makes this place special, though, isn’t just the train — it’s the authentic local atmosphere. Vendors are going about their day, and it still feels like a real community space rather than a staged tourist attraction (at least it did when I visited).

Walking past the tracks into the nearby streets gave me a glimpse of everyday town life, which I loved.

I actually arrived earlier, before the train, when the place was calm and only a handful of tourists were around. I grabbed a cold watermelon juice, sat down by the tracks, and just soaked it all in.

That mix of authentic local life and the excitement of the train is what made Maeklong Market truly memorable for me.

Where is Mae Klong Railway Market

The market is located in Samut Songkhram province, about 70 km southwest of Bangkok.

It’s a 30-minute drive from the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, so many organized tours combine a visit to both in a single day.

How to get there

Getting to Meaklong isn’t complicated, but there are a few ways to do it depending on how adventurous you want to be:

• guided tour (with floating market visit)
• taxi
• train
• minivan

Guided tours

If you prefer a guided experience, we recommend joining the Bangkok Train Market & Floating Market with Boat Ride tour. It includes hotel pickup from Bangkok, transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle, and a traditional boat ride through the floating market.

I like this specific tour because it takes care of all the logistics, so you don’t have to worry about navigating trains or buses. It also ensures you arrive in time for the train passing through, and gives you a chance to explore the floating market afterward.

For anyone short on time, wanting to visit both places, or who prefers a smooth, structured experience, this is a solid option.

Taxi

Taking a taxi or Grab is also an option, but it can be pretty pricey, especially if you’re traveling solo or as a couple. From what I’ve read, a full-day taxi for both attractions can cost around 1700–2000 THB.

If you’re a group of four, it might actually end up cheaper than joining a tour, and you’ll have full control over timing.

Minivan

Another option is taking a minivan no. 996 from the Southern Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai). Tickets are sold at stand no. 10. The ride costs around 60 THB and takes about 90 minutes.

There are also minivans leaving from the Northern Bus Terminal (Mo Chit), which is right next to Chatuchak Weekend Market.

Local trains

The local trains were the option I chose, and I’ll admit — it wasn’t the easiest.

The route is a bit of an adventure: first, you take a train from Bangkok’s Wong Wian Yai Railway Station to Maha Chai, then cross the river by ferry to Tha Chalom Pier, and finally catch a train from Ban Laem station to Mae Klong, which is the final stop.

It’s very affordable, too — I don’t remember the exact price, but it was definitely less than 5€ one way. I’ll go into more detail on this option below, including tips to make it smoother. But first, let’s look at the schedule.

Mae Klong train schedule

Getting to Mae Klong by local trains

Finding Wong Wian Yai Station in Bangkok

thought this would be the easiest part of the trip, but I was wrong — especially since I overslept and missed my first planned train. I arrived at Wong Wian Yai subway station and immediately turned on Google Maps, but I couldn’t find any sign of the train station. After asking a few locals, someone finally guided me.

From the subway, you have to walk towards the big crossroad of Khrung Thon Buri Road and Som Det Phra Chao Tak Sin Road. Stay on the left-hand side as you walk down the road until you reach the intersection with Leab Tang Rodfai Road.

Turn left here — the alley looks narrow and unassuming, not at all like a place you’d expect a train station. After 2–3 minutes, you’ll see the tracks on your right side.

I arrived a bit early, so I strolled around the local market nearby and picked up some snacks for the trip.

The tickets are bought inside the station building — if you can’t find the entrance, just ask around. Grab a ticket to Maha Chai, and you’re ready for the next leg of the journey.

Train to Maha Chai

Don’t expect anything fancy on this train — it’s just a few third-class (maybe also second-class) wagons with open windows and fans, no air conditioning. That said, it didn’t feel too hot during my trip, and the ride was actually quite pleasant.

Make sure to keep your ticket, as an inspector comes by to check them. The trip takes about one hour.

The first train leaves at 5:30, which you can catch if you want to arrive at Mae Klong at 7:30. This train departs from Ban Laem at 07:00.

Another option is the later train, which arrives at Mae Klong at 11:10 (departure from Ban Laem at 10:30). To catch this one, you need to leave Wong Wian Yai no later than 8:35, though it might be safer to aim for an earlier train, like 07:40 or 07:00.

Important schedule note

Here’s the thing — if you want to make the Maeklong Railway Market trip entirely on your own, the train schedule is tricky.

You need to carefully time each connection to catch the last train from Mae Klong back to Bangkok at 15:30. You also need two extra connections just to watch the train pass. And of course, you need to arrive with one.

I overslept that morning, then had trouble finding the train station in Bangkok, and ended up missing the last possible train to Mae Klong at 10:30 from Ban Laem.

That meant catching the next train wouldn’t give me the chance to watch the train pass through without sitting in it — which is the main reason I came. Naturally, after planning this whole trip, I felt pretty frustrated and a bit sad.

Minivan alternative (what I did)

Once I got to Maha Chai, I started asking around if there was another way to get to Mae Klong.

Luckily, I was told about a minivan leaving in a few minutes, and a young Thai girl even walked me to the pickup spot. It was quick, comfortable, and saved the day.

Ferry to Tha Chalom Pier

Once I arrived in Maha Chai, I noticed a small market along the tracks, selling local products — mostly seafood and vegetables. I guess markets near railway tracks are just a thing in Thailand, and if you have time, it’s worth wandering around a bit.

When you’re ready, make your way to Maha Chai Pier at Tha Chalom River (Google Maps location), pay a few baht for the ticket, and wait for the ferry to arrive.

The ferries run every few minutes, so there’s no need to stress about schedules. The crossing itself is very short — only about five minutes — but it’s a nice little break and a glimpse of daily life along the river.

Train from Ban Laem to Mae Klong

This is the final leg of the journey. Once you arrive at Ban Laem, walk about five minutes to the small train station — Google Maps helps a lot here. You’ll find a tiny ticket window where you can buy a ticket for just a few baht (around 10 THB).

Wait for the train to arrive and try to grab a good window seat. The journey takes about one hour, and the highlight comes just a few minutes before reaching Mae Klong: you’ll pass right through the railway market!

Have your camera ready, and keep an eye on your location in Google Maps. Watching the train slide past the stalls just a few centimeters from the tourists is something you don’t want to miss.

The train passing through

After strolling around for a while, I was so excited when I heard the train whistle in the distance. The atmosphere instantly changed — vendors started pulling back their awnings and sliding baskets, everyone stepped aside, and the train slowly passed.

I was right there, super close, and could even smell the burning oil and iron as it passed. It’s thrilling and a little intense seeing just how narrow the space is between the train and the stalls.

Of course, some people were still waiting until the last possible second to move, which felt stupid and irresponsible — it’s not just unsafe, it’s also a bit frustrating for everyone else trying to enjoy the experience.

Once the train passed, everything quickly returned to normal, as if nothing had happened — stalls back in place, vendors selling their goods, and life moving along like a perfectly timed routine.

Where to eat

If you get hungry while exploring, there are snack shops along the tracks where you can grab something quick. Around the train station, you’ll also find a few simple Thai restaurants.

Personally, I recommend walking a bit further to Maya Thai Restaurant. It’s a modern spot with a huge menu, so you can try a variety of Thai dishes in a comfortable setting.

Best time to visit

Honestly, the best time to visit is when the train passes, since that’s the main highlight. Beyond that, it depends on your plans — whether you’re joining a group tour or coming on your own, you’ll need to follow the train schedules anyway.

Final Thoughts

Visiting Maeklong Railway Market was one of those trips that felt like an adventure from start to finish.

The train passing through the stalls, without a doubt, was the highlight — but I also loved just wandering the stalls, exploring Maha Chai, and seeing the towns along the way.

Going by local train made the journey feel authentic, though it takes a bit of planning and patience. If that sounds stressful, organized tours or minivans are great alternatives.

Either way, the market itself is unique, photogenic, and genuinely fun to experience — just make sure to have your camera ready and enjoy the little moments along the way.

It’s a trip that’s part spectacle, part local culture, and totally worth adding to your Thailand itinerary.